On 21/11/2012 12:29, Baz wrote:
It has cost us money to buy fatballs to get birds back into the garden. And
they love it. Nothing left within 24hrs. I can't identify the birds, but
that is not my wory.
Can we make our own fatballs? and if so how?
If we don't hang them under a "bell" the gulls have them away so they have
to be able to hang and not drop off.

Thanks
Baz



I have made my own fat balls by simply melting lard and adding bird seed
until all the soft lard is used up. I've made flat suet blocks to fit
the proprietory flat suet feeders, but it's easy to use wire mesh to
conform to your required shape. I'm fortunate enough to own a
collection of ceramic bell feeders, but you could use small terracotta
plantpots with a strong loop of wire placed through the drainage hole as
you pack in the suet mix. If you're concerned about the wire loop
pulling through, use a washer to help secure it. I find it helps to put
my suet shapes in the fridge for a while to help reset the fat before
hanging outside. If it's very cold outside, you probably don't need to
bother.

If you have any *cooked* rice going spare, it can also go in the mix.
As a separate feed, I occasionally put spare pastry in a mesh feeder.
The birds *love* it! They also love cheese, but don't seem bothered
about very strong cheddar; milder cheeses soon disappear.

Remember also to offer water for drinking and bathing, and change it
regularly. I also put out wire mesh 'bags' with RG's hair trimmings in,
but you could used dog hair if you have a critter to brush. The hair is
always taken for lining warm roosts, and again in the spring for nesting.

--
Spider
from high ground in SE London
gardening on clay